Airline group recommends smaller carry-on bags to free up bins

April 13, 2009: American Airlines flight attendant Renee Schexnaildre demonstrates the overhead baggage area during a media preview of the airline's new Boeing 737-800 jets, at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Grapevine, Texas.
(AP)

Global airlines announced Tuesday a new guideline that suggests fliers take a smaller carry-on bag onto the plane with them in an effort to free up space in packed overhead bins.

The guideline, which is not binding, means that many existing bags in compliance with airline rules would not be given preferential treatment in the boarding process. The details of how the guideline will be implemented are still murky. It could lead to many fliers being forced to check their favorite carry-on bag.

Fliers may be forced to either buy smaller suitcases or pay a fee to check their bags, which usually costs $25 each way

The recommendation by the International Air Transport Association suggests an “optimal” carry-on size at 21.5 inches tall by 13.5 inches wide by 7.5 inches deep. That is smaller than the current maximum size allowed by most airlines. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines all currently allow bags up to 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches — although gate agents don't always enforce those more-generous measurements.

"Once again, the airlines find a way to make their problem the passenger's problem — and an expensive problem at that," said travel industry consultant Henry Harteveldt. The lack of overhead space is due to airlines cramming too many seats on planes and charging passengers to check their suitcases, he said.

Airlines around the globe have different standards of carry-on measurements. The airline trade group says the new guideline will not necessarily replace each airline’s rules on bag size, but gives them a uniform measurement that “will help iron out inconsistencies.”

Charlie Leocha, a consumer advocate and co-founder of Travelers United, said if enough airlines adopt these guidelines it will be great for travelers to at least know what size bag is acceptable on multiple airlines. However, Leocha measured his own carry-on bag Tuesday— one that he has traveled with for more than a decade and never struggled to fit into an overhead bin — to find out that it doesn't comply with the new suggested size.

"Are the airlines are cahoots with the baggage manufactures? It just seems crazy," he said.

Many bags that are already marketed as carry-on compliant actually aren’t.

Walmart sells the Rockland Luggage Sonic 20” ABS Spinner Carry ON for $56.99. However, the depth of the bag is not compliant with current U.S. airline rules. Macy's sells a Samsonite Silhouette Sphere bag for $460 that is marketed as meeting "carry-on requirements for most major airlines" but the bag is 15 inches wide, one inch too large.

If airlines follow this guideline “everyone should have a chance to store their carry-on bags on board aircraft of about 120 seats or larger,” the trade group said. Now, it’s typical for the last 20 or so passengers to board to be forced to check their bags at the gate because the bins are already full.

Nine major international airlines will soon introduce the guideline into their operations. Chris Goater, a spokesman for the transport association, said they are: Avianca, Azul, Caribbean Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, China Southern, Emirates, Lufthansa and Qatar.

"It's certainly not mandatory," Goater said.

No U.S. airlines have yet signed on, but Goater expects more carriers to quickly do so. The suggested size was just unveiled publicly Tuesday at a meeting of global airline CEOs in Miami.

The airlines said they are working with several large luggage manufacturers including Samsonite, Delsey and Tumi but none have yet signed on. Bags with new labels, designating them as "Cabin OK," are expected to be in stores by the end of the year.

Airline consultant Robert Mann said that if airlines did a better job of handling checked luggage, passengers wouldn't bring so many on the plane and fight for overhead bin space. Those $25 bag fees don't help either.

"They literally create a disincentive to play their game," Mann said.

In the end, Mann said airlines will do very little — regardless of bag size — to separate frequent business travelers who account for the bulk of their revenue from their suitcases.